|
| |
Braemoor Rehabilitation
and Nursing Center
34 North Pearl Street
Brockton,
Massachusetts
02301
Telephone: 508-586-3696 Fax: 508-584-0470
Web-Site www.braemoorrehab.com
Dear
Family Member:
This
letter is to advise you that the Massachusetts Senate and House of
Representatives has recently enacted a new law (HOUSE, NO 2601) to provide for
Family Councils in Nursing Homes. A summary of the law contains the following
mandates:
-
A licensed facility must allow the formation of a family council and upon
request must allow the family council to meet in a common meeting room of
the facility during agreed upon hours.
-
Upon resident’s admission, the facility must inform family members of their
right to form a family council. When a family council exists, the facility
must notify a new resident’s family members (or representatives) about the
family council and provide the name of a family council contact person.
-
The facility may not deny a family council the opportunity to accept
organizational help from a group or individual outside of the facility.
-
Facility policies on family councils may not limit the rights of resident or
family members to meet with any individuals or organizations or with
facility personal when they are not on duty.
-
The facility may not interfere with the family council’s receipt of outside
correspondence addressed to it, and must ensure that the correspondence is
delivered un-opened to the governing body of, or contact person for, the
council.
-
Staff or visitors may attend family council meetings only of invited by the
council.
-
The facility shall provide a staff member to assist families upon request of
the council, and respond to written requests from the family council.
-
The facility shall consider the views and shall act upon the family
council’s grievances and recommendations concerning proposed policy and
operational decisions that affect resident care and quality of life.
-
The facility shall respond in writing within five working days to the family
council’s written requests or concerns.
-
No facility shall willfully interfere with the formation, maintenance or
promotion of a family council. Examples of willful interference include
scheduling facility events that conflict with previously scheduled family
council meetings or retaliating in a way against an individual for his or
her participation in a family council.
If
any family member would like to know more about establishing a family council or
acting as an officer of the council please contact Michael Roland,
Administrator; Jane Roland Assistant Administrator; Debbie Jackson, Director of
Nursing; or Kim Berry, Director of Social Services.
Michael J. Roland
Administrator
2/2005
Return to News Page
|
